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Busan Conducts Safety Inspections of Social Welfare Facilities

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The Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that, in response to the early arrival of the rainy season and increasingly frequent torrential downpours, the City conducted on-site inspections on June 12 at social welfare facilities located near forested areas to assess their readiness for summer natural disasters.

The inspection was led by the Director-General of the Social Welfare Bureau and other City officials.

Current status of vulnerable groups (as of March 2025):

• ●Total: 313,973 persons
    - Elderly living alone: 247,462
    - Homeless: 617
    - Residents in flophouses: 927
    - Persons with severe disabilities: 64,967

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On June 12, the City visited a total of three residential facilities for the elderly, persons with disabilities, and children with disabilities. The inspections focused on structural safety and overall living conditions to ensure that all residents can remain safe and comfortable during the summer.

Inspectors also reviewed potential risk factors associated with the upcoming rainy season and confirmed each facility’s disaster preparedness plan.

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Heatwave Response Measures (June to September):

The City will operate a four-month protection program for the homeless and flophouse residents, with July and August designated as priority periods.

A Joint Response Team for the Homeless, composed of local government, police, fire departments, and shelter staff, will be in operation, along with a Field Response Task Force of 3 teams and 16 members. This team will be active from June to September, with daily operations and extended nighttime shifts (10:00 PM – 4:00 AM).

Emergency Relief Measures:

• ●Emergency shelters and temporary accommodations in partnership with inns

• ●Temporary housing support (monthly rent and transportation for 3 months)

• ●Cooling supplies and bottled water distribution

• ●Operation of 5 designated heat shelters for the homeless

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Emergency Safety Measures for Elderly and Disabled Citizens:

• ●18,357 households have emergency safety alert devices installed (as of March 2025)

• ●In case of no activity, emergency responders are automatically alerted (linked to 119)

• ●During weather alerts, care workers contact or visit to confirm safety and provide emergency contact details

• ●Activity support workers for persons with severe disabilities receive disaster alerts and training

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Statement from the Director:

Jung Tae-gi, Director-General of the Social Welfare Bureau, stated:
“We will do our utmost to ensure that residents in facilities can remain safe during the upcoming rainy season and heatwaves.
The City will work hand in hand with public and private stakeholders to protect lives and promote the safety and happiness of all Busan citizens.”

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Appendices:

Appendix 1: On-site Inspection Photos

Appendix 2: Site Visit Overview

• ●Date: June 12 (Thu)

• ●Locations:
    ① Residential facility for children with disabilities (14:00–14:40)
    ② Residential facility for persons with disabilities (14:50–15:30)
    ③ Senior medical welfare facility (16:00–16:40)

• ●Participants: Director-General of the Social Welfare Bureau, City officials

• ●Content: Facility safety inspections and assessment of residents’ living conditions

Appendix 3: Summer Disaster Protection Measures for Vulnerable Groups
Detailed plans for:

• ●Elderly and persons with severe disabilities: heatwave response systems, emergency kits, monitoring via safety devices, and financial aid for cooling

• ●Homeless and flophouse residents: emergency shelters, temporary housing support, medical aid, case management, and daily meal services

• ●At-risk households: use of social safety net databases to identify and assist hidden vulnerable groups using community outreach workers